radiation-induced neuropathic pain successfully treated with systemic lidocaine administration

A Ram Doo,1 Yu Seob Shin,2 Seonwoo Yoo,1 Jong Kwan Park2 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, 2Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University and Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute and Clinical Trial Center of Medical Device of Chonbuk National University , Jeonju, South Korea Abstract: Radiation-induced neuropathic pain is a rare but devastating complication following cancer treatment. It is often progressive, refractory to conservative treatment, and sometimes irreversible. The exact mechanism of radiation-induced neuropathic pain is unknown, but it is associated with perineural fibrosis, atrophy, and ischemia. Systemic administration of local anesthetics is known to be effective for various acute and chronic painful diseases, such as neuropathic pain, as well as inflammatory and nociceptive pains. We report a patient with generalized radiation-induced neuropathic pain successfully treated with systemic lidocaine administration. Keywords: cancer, complication, lidocaine, pain, neuropathy